Danish Kaneria is currently in England playing County Cricket for Essex CC. On 11th May, he arrived at the new Swalec Stadium to take on Glamorgan in their Friends Provident Trophy match v Glamorgan. After the post-match presentation, PakPassion.Net caught up with him for a chat...

PakPassion.Net: Abdul Qadir revealed this week that he had taught Shahid Afridi a new ‘mystery ball’. Have you received any coaching advice or tips from Abdul Qadir since he joined the set up?

Danish Kaneria: I haven’t received any advice from him yet, but when I was last with the team, I received a lot of advice from Intikhab Alam, who was also a very good leg spinner.

I will be looking to get advice from Abdul Qadir. He was also a very good bowler, and I definitely look forward to speaking with him next time I get the chance.


PakPassion.Net: You’ve played all over the world – against some of the world’s best players – have you ever sought advice or tips from any of them?

Danish Kaneria: Yes we sat down and discuss cricket. I have discussed bowling with Shane Warne & had some conversations with Murilitharan as well. But especially with Shane Warne - I get on very well with him.


PakPassion.Net: Who is the best batsman you ever bowled to? The one you have found the most difficult to ‘get out’?

Danish Kaneria: Most definitely Brian Lara & Steve Waugh


PakPassion.Net: Which captain would you say has got the best out of you, domestically or at international level?

Danish Kaneria: I spent 3 years continuously skippered by Inzamam ul Haq, so he would be my choice.


PakPassion.Net: Many would argue that Inzamam used you in a more ‘defensive role’ for Pakistan?

Danish Kaneria: Possibly, but he used me very well. Under his captaincy I performed very well. As captain, he used to always back me up & encourage. He was had good things to say about my bowling when ever we were playing test matches.

He always had faith in me and wanted me to become the leading bowler & wicket taker in the team.


PakPassion.Net: Is there in difference in the way you prepare for matches with Essex than with Pakistan?

Danish Kaneria: I’ve been playing for Essex for 5 seasons, but I never have the chance to be involved in their pre-season training due to Pakistani team commitments. I start playing games straight away.

But as professional cricketer I have to adjust as soon as possible to get the momentum going.


PakPassion.Net: You’ve taken 4 wickets today - you seem to enjoy bowling on English pitches & in English conditions?

Danish Kaneria: Yes. I love these pitches & conditions, but I am happy to bowl on any kind of surface anywhere for Pakistan or Essex – I love both these teams very much. They are both close to my heart.

I strive to do better all the time.


PakPassion.Net: Do you think you can become to Essex what Mushy (Mushtaq Ahmad) has become for Sussex in the way he has led them to so much success?

Danish Kaneria: Definately - I am very confident of my talent and I always come over here and try and give 100% and then whatever is written in my destiny.

The Essex boys are very good and we gel very well. It is like a big family and we play like a unit. I just hope that I can make the difference by coming over here and doing something good for my team.


PakPassion.Net: You haven’t played any ODIs for Pakistan since the 2007 World Cup. Do you feel you could still make a contribution in ODIs?

Danish Kaneria: I have always wanted to play for Pakistan in both the ODI & T20 teams

I have a little bit of time so I’ve come over here (to Essex) to play the shorter version of the game, and hope that I get the chance to play for Pakistan in any future ODI & T20 matches.


PakPassion.Net: Increasingly, the spinners seem to hold the key in ODIs and more recently in T20 matches.

Danish Kaneria: Definitely – the spinners hold a key role in One Day competitions and in the shorter versions of the game. Spinners are playing a very vital role.

I am waiting & I will always work hard and do my very best whenever I will have the chance to perform for Pakistan, Inshallah.


PakPassion.Net: We have just seen Shahid Afridi & Saeed Ajmal performing very well for Pakistan v Australia out in the UAE. Would you liked to have been out there involved in the series?

Danish Kaneria: Yes definitely I would love to have been out there with the boys. The team played quite well and the wickets were suited to spin bowling and Australia found it very difficult facing the spinners. I wish I was there with the team.


PakPassion.Net: Pakistan’s experiment of playing matches at ‘neutral venues’ was seen as successful. There is a chance that England might host a Pakistan v Australia test series. Would you be looking forward to that if it happened?

Danish Kaneria: I'm not really too fussed about that as nothing has been decided and I cant really say anything about that yet.


PakPassion.Net: You have an impressive 225 test wickets in 53 test matches yet you still have your critics. Why is that?

Danish Kaneria: I don’t think that is the case as far as test matches are concerned. I am doing very well in test matches. I play test matches for my country – I am 4th in the ranking of the Pakistani bowling list.

I’ve done pretty well and I don’t think there is a question mark over my test performances.


PakPassion.Net: You are still young enough & fit enough to play test cricket for many years. It is possible that you could play over 100 test and over 400 wickets isn’t it? 

Danish Kaneria: If I can play for a long time, my aim is to get 500 wickets – that is my aim. I am working hard on it and Inshallah, God help me with my form & fitness & everthing goes well, I can take 500 wickets and put my name at the top of the Pakistan all-time wicket taker list.


PakPassion.Net: I’m quite proud that Pakistan has a Hindu player in the team. Are there any pressures that come with that?

Danish Kaneria: No pressure at all. I am a Pakistan – then I am a Hindu. I don’t have any pressure.


PakPassion.Net: The New Zealand Cricket Board have allowed their ICL players back into the team with immediate effect. Would you like to see Pakistani ICL players return?

Danish Kaneria: That’ something for the PCB & ICC to discuss. I can’t comment on this situation as a centrally contracted player.


PakPassion.Net: The fans on PakPassion.Net are always interested in ‘up & coming’ players. Are there young spinners we should keep an eye out for?


Danish Kaneria: I haven’t really seen any ‘up & coming’ young players that I can talk about & say that they are ready to play for Pakistan – and do well in the coming years.


PakPassion.Net: How about a youngster like Usman Qadir? We've heard so much about him on PakPassion.Net

Danish Kaneria: He is very young – he hasn’t even started playing First Class cricket yet. 


PakPassion.Net: Have you seen him bowl?

Danish Kaneria: I’ve seen him in the nets, but you cannot really judge someone in the nets. Once he gets out onto the field, it’s a different ball game to the nets


PakPassion.Net: Thank you for your time and best of luck for the rest of your season.